PORT ANGELES — A recently formed civic group wants to help boost the city’s cadre of police department citizen volunteers by adding their own shoe leather to the cause.
Members of “This Is Our Town — Port Angeles” want to help the police department revive the volunteer program and reignite downtown foot patrols.
“There are a lot of people who are concerned and want to get involved,” said Michael Simmons, 52, an organizer of “This Is Our Town — Port Angeles,” which has sponsored garbage cleanups of the city’s well-used public places such as parks since its founding in late November.
They also plan to help with office clerical duties, supplement police who staff community events and do vehicle ride-arounds, all the while wearing police jackets, caps, smaller-than-normal badges — and no weapons, Chief Terry Gallagher said.
“I’m very appreciative of the fact that these people are willing to get involved in the public safety of their community,” he said.
“Having boots on the ground, even in the form of volunteers, is an effective crime-prevention measure.”
Gallagher met with about a dozen Our Town members last week at the courthouse to explain the range of police-work possibilities open to them.
About 20 members also got together with Deputy Chief Brian Smith, who went over the ins and outs of law enforcement investigations, and county Prosecuting Attorney Mark Nichols, who discussed sentencing reform and code enforcement.
Gallagher said the department has about a dozen volunteers so far.
Like them, the Our Town participants will get background checks but no police training in handling conflict or arrests.
They also won’t stop anyone who may be doing something illegal.
“They’re not meant to get involved in conflict,” Gallagher said.
“Their function is, if there’s an issue, is to leave and call the police.”
Volunteers patrolled downtown on foot until a few years ago.
And a downtown resource officer was assigned to the city’s core until more than a year ago.
Gallagher said if the position is refilled, it won’t be until after Officer Jeff Ordona gets out of the police academy in Burien.
Helps fill need
So Our Town comes along at a good time.
“Especially with the summer months coming up, we like having a patrol in the downtown,” Gallagher said.
He said police volunteers must have a clean driving record.
They can’t smoke marijuana but won’t be drug tested.
“We are going to assume they have a genuine interest in doing good in the community,” Gallagher said.
“This Is Our Town — Port Angeles” has that in mind, said Simmons and his significant other, Chelsea Ward, who own a commercial cleaning business.
Cleanups planned
Their group will clean up Lincoln Park beginning at 10 a.m. Feb. 13 and Shane Park at 10 a.m. Feb. 27. Volunteers are welcome.
They plan an “awareness rally” at 1 p.m. March 26 in the parking lot of Fanaticus Sports Grill, 1026 E. First St.
“It’s a family-friendly rally to spread awareness about the problems going on around here and any kind of volunteering they can help with to get our town cleaned up of crime and drugs,” Simmons said.
“We’re open to any ideas.”
For more about “This is Our Town — Port Angeles,” see the group’s Facebook page.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5060, or at pgottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
